Ideas for Winter Decorating and How to Cheer Up Your Home

We’ve all talked about it, and we’ve definitely all felt it! As soon as I take down Christmas, I’m relishing the clean, pared down aesthetic. For awhile. And then, not so much. My house starts to feel pretty bare, and on top of that, it’s cold, it’s dreary, and it makes me long for spring.

But since it’s a little early for tulips and cheerful floral prints, what’s a girl to do? Today I’m sharing some ideas for winter decorating that won’t break the bank, but will cheer up your home (at least until those spring pink tulips arrive!)

1. Bring in the greens!

As most of you know, I love green! It’s absolutely my favorite color, and I feel like it works year-round. However, it’s also a great choice for that in-between time we’re experiencing now. It’s a neutral, it harkens back to nature which is nice when there’s not a lot of green outside, and it makes your home more cheerful for sure!

I love to bring in not only natural greens, but also green accessories. Here I added a vintage French jar I had, as well as a green cake plate from Target. I love the pop it adds to my white kitchen!

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On the kitchen table, some green branches clipped from the yard live in my antique demijohn along with a small green vase to form a little vignette.

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2. Try a Little Refresh

Once I took down the Christmas decor on the mantel, it was really looking bare so I decided to re-style it a bit. Sometimes just moving things around, or borrowing from another room can make all the difference. I added a few more items to the mantel, and I love that it feels a little more balanced and full now. I went with neutrals, but I’d love to add some greens here, too, and I may still do that.

And shop your house! The urn on the left has been on a shelf in my family room forever, and I moved it in here, plopped an orchid in it, and voilà!

I also changed out my typical neutral pillows on the sofa for these green floral ones that usually live in the master bedroom.

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3. Add Pine Cones or Other Natural Elements

Pine cones are part of my Christmas decor, but they are also the only thing I don’t put away when I put those bins back in the attic. To me, they just scream winter! And yet they definitely work for these few months before spring comes.

I purposely kept out the ones with “snow” on them as I loved the white. I have several sizes, from tiny to large and I scatter them everywhere. My small ones I’ve purchased and they are faux, but the real ones are free! Go scour your neighborhood or a park – there are usually tons on the ground!

Large white pine cones in a wood bowl, and tiny pine cones in a vintage silver bowl spell winter on the coffee table. The basket also adds texture which is always nice, especially during a season when we crave that coziness texture can bring.

More pine cones on a side table. And some green books!

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4. And Flowers, of Course!

I love flowers all times of the year, but during the winter, they are kind of a necessity! Admittedly, they aren’t free, like in the spring and summer when I can clip them in my yard. But for a few dollars at the market, they are definitely worth it. They bring cheer and freshness during these shorter, darker days, and really, where can you get a week’s worth of that for $5 or $6? People spend that and more on a coffee everyday and that only lasts a few minutes!

Also, eucalyptus. This is my favorite green, and it’s like $2 a bunch and lasts even longer than flowers! A win-win for sure!

In the living room, I mixed some hydrangeas with pine sprigs and eucalyptus. More pine cones live in a stag’s head silver bowl..

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The kitchen has a little white flowering plant, as well as eucalyptus (my favorite green to use!)

I don’t use faux often, but in the winter sometimes it’s necessary. I loved these branches because the weathered green of the oak leaves looks so real! Either way, whether the florals are fresh or faux, they add that life that we need so much this time of year.

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5. Throws and Candles

This might be a no-brainer, but bring out the cozy throws and light some candles! In the living room I brought out my favorite super cozy faux fur throw, and another nubby one in the family room. They are heavier weight than ones I might have out in spring or fall, and they’re also in neutral colors as opposed to brights. And lighting some fragrant candles and/or lighting a fire, is always a good idea 🙂

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Hopefully, I’ve inspired you with some winter decorating ideas that you can incorporate into your own home. At least until spring, and then we’ll all be bringing out the brights and the tulips!

Your home looks so gorgeous and I love all your natural elements! I so need to bring in greenery from my yard. I’ve come to the conclusion I need more vases! Btw, thanks so much for joining our Friday Friends Oarade Linky Patty, we so appreciate that you posted!!!

Beautiful winter touches! Thank you for the inspiration! Can you share where your round vase is from (it looks concrete and has the Oak leaves in it)? Your mantle looks so beautiful! I love symmetry but am going to try to mix things up as you did, it’s very warm and welcoming!

Sheila, Each time I view your lovely, welcoming home, I enjoy it like a breath of fresh air. Thank you for sharing and sharing inspiration. It brightens my day. I love the touches of green. New life even before winter is over.. a promise of more motivational posts, I hope. 😊

Oh gosh Sherry, what a wonderful comment to receive today! To hear from readers is always a wonderful thing, but when it’s a comment this kind, well, let’s just say you totally made my day!

Thank you so much for your compliments and your feedback – I appreciate it so much! And yes, I’ve been thinking of bringing back my Thoughtful Sundays and your comment is making me consider it even more:)